The urge to slam the door was menial compared to the urge to throw everything around the room. The only problem was there was nothing to throw. There was his bag, but no point in destroying his own things. There were pillows on the sofa, but the worst he could do was throwing feathers everywhere. He grabbed his invisbility cloak and began to pace the room. The only way to leave the room was through the hall and past everyone in the sitting room. The door didn't work the first time, and he was willing to bet it wouldn't now. Even if he knew how to Apparate, there was no Apparating within Hogwarts. That made him consider house elves, which in turn made him think of-

"Dobby." He didn't yell it for fear of being heard. In truth, he spoke barely above a whisper. When nothing happened he started pacing again. After his third pass he heard a faint pop and watched as the always exuberant house elf came into view. Harry raised his index finger to his lips to ensure the elf wouldn't talk.

"You can Apparate within the castle." Dobby nodded his head.

"Can you Apparate with someone?" Again, Dobby nodded.

"Will you Apparate me to the edge of the Forbidden Forest?" Dobby held his hand out. Harry looked around with a sad look and grasped the small hand in his, pulling the invisibility cloak to his chest. With the snap of Dobby's fingers, Harry was whisked away from the room he still loved and wanted more than anything, and then landed on the grass just behind a huge tree.

"Dobby be's worried about this place Mr. Harry Potter, sir." His ears were lowered and his head bowed, but his eyes were bright and looked straight up at Harry.

"Thank you, Dobby. You don't need to be worried; I don't plan on staying here. There are just too many people around the lake at this time. Can I ask you for a favor, Dobby?"

"Dobby is doing anything for Harry Potter."

"Do not tell anyone where you brought me. Don't even tell anyone you've seen me, no matter what. Please?" Dobby looked like he wanted to protest, but his unwavering devotion won out.

"Of course, sir. Dobby be keeping Mr. Harry Potter's secret."

"Thank you, Dobby. And I promise I won't stay in the forest for long, just until everyone goes inside." Dobby gave him a nod and watched him for a few seconds before he left with a pop. Harry looked around and saw that he was off between Hagrid's hut and the quidditch pitch. He could see a few people by the lake and some walking around the pitch. He moved over to sit under a large tree, wishing he brought his winter cloak with him. He was just settling in and getting comfortable when he heard rustling slightly behind him. Before he could properly react, a fuzzy, bright orange half kneazle pounced in his lap.

"Crookshanks, what are you doing out here!" He ran his hand down the poufy fur when he heard a low grumbling coming from the direction the cat came from. Trusting the animal that was in his lap, he didn't move. The shock was all over his face as he took in a giant black bear of a dog that sauntered over. The dog snarled at Harry until Crookshanks stood up and hissed back. The dog seemed to relax and sat directly in front of Harry.

"Well you're a sweet boy, aren't you? I don't blame you. I'm weary of people when I first meet them, too." Harry held his hand out lightly and waited for the dog to smell him. He always wanted a dog, but anything he wanted went unanswered at the Dursley's. He watched as the dog sniffed his hand, and then dropped his head under Harry's hand, allowing him to pet the dog. Harry scratched him behind the ears and was rewarded with a very happy dog smile and a tail that was wagging so hard the whole body wiggled. After a few minutes both animals curled on either side of Harry and he leaned against the tree thinking. He figured Hermione wouldn't be in Snape's quarters long after they found him missing. He smiled at the thought of them searching everywhere and not finding him. He didn't want to go to the common room and face Ron and explain to him why he was there. He couldn't go to the den because Hermione still had her book and could find him; not to mention he had no book to get the room back. He would just have to be patient and wait until it was late enough and he would go to the common room and sleep there.

"It must be great being an animal. No need to worry about who your parents are and no need to worry about disappointment when they use your own words against you. People don't label you with ridiculous nicknames over something you don't remember and had absolutely no control over." He felt the dog lift its head as he spoke. He saw the dog watching him, as if taking in every word. He sat in silence with the two animals, content and not nearly as angry as he had been.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She was worried, but had a feeling she knew where he was. She couldn't show her desire to leave, because she knew they would follow. She was still contemplating telling them about the den, but that still confused her how the Room of Requirement turned into Snape's study. Maybe she could get him to take her in there to try and see if the rooms were the same.

"Miss Granger, are you certain?" She nodded and jumped when he stood. Remus followed suit and the three were walking down the hall. Severus stopped and peered in the bathroom. Confident he wasn't there, he continued on to the bedroom he spent hours putting together. He searched under the bed and in the armoire, but no Harry was found. He closed his eyes a moment then stalked towards his study. He hesitated for a split second, but allowed his student and friend to follow. He moved straight toward a bookshelf that was in the corner of the room. Hermione stood in the doorway after allowing Remus by her and gawked. The room was larger than she imagined possible being in the dungeons. Every wall was covered in bookshelves and was easily twice the size of Harry's den. The bookshelves were two stories high and there was a walkway around the second floor, with a spiraling staircase on the left and right walls. She was broken from her amazement by soft speaking.

"It appears I misspoke before, though it is entirely unclear as to how it has happened."

"What do you mean, Severus? Is the book here?"

"I do believe my old potions text is in my study at Prince Manor, and was never here. It still brings to question where he had a book that old, but I suppose there is a reasonable explanation. Remus, can you begin to understand now why I was so at odds about this?"

"One step at a time, old friend." Remus gave Severus a smile, which was returned with a scowl. Hermione's brain was working overtime. She recognized the name 'Prince', but she couldn't remember where she saw it. She desperately needed to leave, but didn't want to miss out on any more potentially important information.

"Hermione, do you think you can get Harry to my office this evening?" Remus had to tap her on her shoulder to gain her attention.

"I can try, Professor." Both men nodded and stepped from the room. She took one last look around and followed into the sitting room.

"It's nearing dinner; I suggest we make our way to the Great Hall, Hermione." She nodded and grabbed her bag. She turned to Severus, who was back in his wing back chair.

"It'll be okay, Professor. He'll come around." The man raised his head slightly, narrowed his eyes in thought, and gave her a small nod. She followed her defense professor and left the dungeons, intent on finding Harry and getting him to stop pouting.